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around which your whole past is arranged. Once the old name is dropped the whole past disappears. A discontinuity is created, and to be discontinuous with the past is a great leap because then you can be in the present.
In the ancient Hebrew language the word for name means that which makes you unique. It is also said in the ancient Hebrew scriptures that god knows every man's name. It simply means that god knows you only in your uniqueness, not otherwise. If you are pretending to be somebody else god will never know you. If you are trying to be a Buddha or a Christ or a Saint Francis god will never know you. He knows you only as you are, in your utter uniqueness, and the name makes you unique.
When the name is given by a master, it is not only an ordinary label, utilitarian: it shows something of your potential. It can become a key for inner work.
The Hebrews also used to believe that the only way to know somebody's name is to love him. A strange statement, but if you remember the meaning of the word for 'name' -- that which makes an individual unique -- then it is simple. How can you know the uniqueness of a person unless you love him? On the surface he is just a number. On the surface he is a clerk, a station-master, a school-teacher, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer, this or that. Now, if you are a doctor, you are replaceable; if you die, another doctor will take your place. The world will not miss you as a doctor, you will not be missed. But if we look into your deepest core as an individual, nobody can replace you. You are unique. You have never been before, you will never be again. Nobody has ever been like you and nobody will ever be like you; you are utterly unique.
This uniqueness is a gift of god, and this uniqueness can only be known in deep love because only in love do you relax, only in love do you put your armour aside. Only in love do you allow yourself to be indefensible. Only in love can you trust that the other will not harm you, so you can allow the other into the deepest and the most delicate part of your being.
And the relationship between a disciple and a master is a love relationship. That's why I give you
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